Ingredient of the Month: Pecans

A month or so ago when I was starting to plan my Thanksgiving menu, I saw that one of our nearby farm stands had “PECANS” listed on their sign. So, I immediately pulled over and decided in that moment that I was going local pecans vs. store-bought. Nothing against store-bought, but when you have local available, it’s usually a good idea to go for it!

So, I did and paid a bit more than I normally would… though buying a bag of nuts is usually a treat.

And then I opened up the ziploc baggie full of dark maple ridges of nutty goodness and snacked on a few. My brain was officially telling me that I had made a good decision. These pecans were so crisp with a depth of flavor that was both savory and sweet.

So, that is partly why our Ingredient of the Month for December is Pecans! They also play such an important role in our holiday menus, and I think they should be even more important.

Tell me more:

Pecans (I prefer the pick-AHN pronunciation) is a species of hickory tree that is typically grown in the Southern US and Mexico. If you have a pecan tree, please send me some!

As aforementioned, pecans grow on large trees, contained in a round brown pit or shell with the nuts inside. Typically you’ll just find the pecans unshelled, so the hard work is done for you. Pecans are full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and they are a good source of energy!

Where do I buy pecans:

If you live in the South like I do, then you might be lucky enough to find bags of golden pecans at your farmers market or local shop, but you can also always find them at your grocery store in the baking or nut section. They are sold whole (or in halves) or chopped.

Where do I store pecans:

I like to just store mine in the pantry with my other nuts and baking supplies. But, pecans do not last forever, so either eat them within a month, refrigerate them for up to 9 months or freeze for up to 2 years.

How can I use pecans:

First off, it’s a great idea to snack on raw pecans. It’s the purest, easiest way to eat them and really enjoy their uniquely nutty flavor. After that, roasting in the oven or in a skillet is a good next step. Then, there are all types of snacks, meals and desserts to make with them.

Here are several ways to use pecans in your holiday meal planning, snacking, baking and more!